National Basketball Association
Utah Jazz
Western Conference/Northwest Division
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History of the Jazz
The Utah Jazz moved from New Orleans in the 1979/80 season and have been a stalwart in the league ever since. The team traded with the Los Angeles Lakers for future Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley who had yet to make an impact in the league. Between 1981 and 1984 Dantley would average 30 points per game, made 6 All Star Appearances and was twice named to the All NBA 2nd team.
Since Jerry Sloan came on board as the Head Coach for the Jazz in the 1988/89 season, he has molded this team into a perennial playoff contender making the playoffs 14 straight seasons (1989-2003).
In the 1985 draft, the Jazz picked up a little known guard from Gonzaga University by the name of John Stockton. Though he would spend a couple of seasons honing his game, his name was to be forever remembered with the next years pick.
In the 1985/86 season, Utah picked Louisiana Tech Forward Karl Malone with the 13th overall pick in the draft. Malone would go on to lead a prolific career but an NBA Championship would elude him as his teams would make it to the Finals twice in 1997 and 1998 only to be knocked out by Michael Jordon and the Chicago Bulls both years.
The Stockton to Malone moniker became as famous as New Orleans is for Jazz. Together, the two would rack up career states (Malone .51 FG %, 25.0 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game and Stockton .51 FG%, 13.1 points per game, 10.5 assists per game).
The Jazz have had two Hall of Fame Players (Malone is a shoo-in when his time comes) Adrian Dantley (1979-1986) and (Pistol) Pete Maravich (1974 -1980). The team has retired 8 jerseys (#1- Coach Frank Layden 1981-89, #4- Adrian Dantley 1979-1984, #7- Pete Maravich 1974-1980, #12- John Stockton 1984-2003, #14- Jeff Hornacek 1993-2000, #32- Karl Malone 1985-2003, #35- Darrell Griffith 1980-1991 and #53- Mark Eaton 1982-1993).
The team has also won numerous awards: Coach of the Year (Frank Layden-1984), Rookie of the Year (Darrell Griffith 1981), Defensive Player of the Year twice (Mark Eaton 1985 and 1989) and NBA MVP twice (Karl Malone 1997, 1999)
| Utah Professional & College Sports Teams and Events | |
|---|---|
| Utah Utes Football | Utah Utes Basketball |
| Stadium Seating Chart |
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Energy Solutions Arena 
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NBA Basketball
Eastern Conference
| Atlantic Division | Central Division | Southeast Division |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks |
| New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Bobcats |
| New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic |
| Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards |
